Mists of Akuma: Eastern Fantasy Noir Steampunk for Shadow of the Demon Lord

Almost two centuries ago the lightning-powered ships of Ceramia pierced the skies of Soburin heralding an age of oppression that still marks the lands with the resources stripped from the countryside. Ripped away from a long age of peace and broken by soldiers wielding scientifically advanced weaponry, the warriors of the prefectures were drafted into a distant conflict across the edge of the world and ancient traditions of violence have reawakened a thirst for blood in those few that survive the decaying world. Emperor Hitoshi’s rebellion a decade ago threw down foreign rule but an ancient danger has reappeared to push society to the brink of collapse: the Mists of Akuma.

The corrupting fog transforms those within it into bloodthirsty adeddo-oni, monsters that seek only the rending of flesh and the taste of living meat. Nobles have retreated to the cities dotting the countryside leaving the common folk to face the supernatural haze alone, adding to the undead horde. Nature itself has been perilously wounded and the technology that might save the prefectures is shunned and feared by the Masuto Dynasty and Emperor Hitoshi’s subjects.

Mists of Akuma is an eastern fantasy noir steampunk campaign setting for the Shadow of the Demon Lord RPG. Using new mechanics steeped in eastern lore, the book focuses on providing in-depth urban settings and a diverse array of character options to make truly unique parties of adventurers perfectly suited to survive the decay and desperation in Soburin. Bengoshi (governmental agents) empowered to deputize individuals in service of the Masuto Dynasty are attempting to hold the apocalypse at bay but intrigue and graft are as common and deadly as the corrupting fog, and the ancient threat’s influence is spread all the further by the despair of Emperor Hitoshi’s subjects. Death and corruption are everywhere, and only the devious or strong thrive as the world dies around them.

Can you survive the Mists of Akuma?

In the 250 page Mists of Akuma: Shadow of the Demon Lord rulebook you’ll find...

An overview of the recent history of Soburin and basic information about the world including the dangerous Mists of Akuma, rules for traveling the prefectures, and what rigors maddened explorers must overcome to visit the apocalypse that has become of the other continents.

Over 100 NPCs and monsters ranging from foreign generals to eastern dragons, powerful bengoshi and underlings from each of the 24 unique clans, and more than two dozen kami, oni, and tsukumogami!

Cultural practices and traditions for Soburin inspired by and drawn from eastern lore.

A chapter each for three different cities: the capital of the Imperial Prefecture, Sanbaoshi, the advanced mechanical metropolis of Kyofu, and the traditionalist magic-steeped settlement of Nagabuki.

Short stories with gorgeous half page illustrations at the start of each chapter to firmly posit the desperation and diversity inherent to adventuring in Soburin!

Details on each of the two dozen clans of the prefectures, including the bengoshi that negotiate on the behalf of each ruling family’s lady or lord and how the Kengen Occupation affected each region of Soburin.

6 maps for the continent and its settlements by cartographers Michael McCarthy, Mike Myler, and Tommi Salama!

16 new races to breathe life into Soburin, making it an exotic and unique world that is eager to shrug off the shackles of western imperialism.

Ancestral Blessings (to give adventurers an edge in this unforgiving world) and martial arts stances, 3 new magic traditions and various new spells, 11 new expert paths (including ninja, samurai, and wu-jen!), 4 new master paths (for gun priests, misted ragers, and more), and 8 pages of new equipment that ranges from new armor and weapons to steampunk prostheses and vehicles!

Revenge of the Pale Master, an epic 25 page mystery adventure for expert adventurers set in the industrialized city of Kizaki beneath the shadow of an ancient, evil necromancer that has the settlement firmly within his ethereal grasp.

Hopefully March! It is an extremely sophisticated print file and super difficult to get just right however, so it's only hopefully. Sorry about the wait!

Kevin WJanuary 07, 2018 8:59 pm UTC

Any ETA on a Print release of this?

February 09, 2018 9:30 pm UTC

Heyo Kevin! I'm spending this weekend revising the print file again and will have another proof by March, but at this point I'm reticent to say "in March" because I've thought that the images would print correctly several times before, been wrong, and gave people expectations I didn't match. I am diligently working on it though and extremely hopeful for March. Sorry for the wait, I promise it's worth it!

December 16, 2017 9:52 pm UTC

Is there any word on when a POD version will be available?

December 19, 2017 7:01 pm UTC

The fourth print came in badly as well, and at this point I'm assessing new ways to go about fixing the build. Hopefully early next year (coinciding with some converted adventures). Sorry for the delay--clearly the printer can feel the evil locked inside the book. Seriously though I am still trying to get it to print correctly and I promise we will get lightning to strike that same spot a second time.

Andres SOctober 14, 2017 3:42 pm UTC

Can't wait for the PoD version :)

John-Michael WSeptember 17, 2017 8:55 am UTC

Any news on if there'll be the POD-option soon?

October 08, 2017 1:31 am UTC

Yis! Getting that dark evil contrast to work right (examples here from the 5E book's print proofs https://i2.wp.com/mikemylerdotcom1.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/moa-print-issue.jpg ) is super difficult but I think I've finally nailed it down again--print files are in processing and after I get a solid proof it'll be up on sale. ^_^

Sorry about the wait and thank you for staying on it!

Hauke SNovember 17, 2017 11:59 am UTC

So... any update?

Andres SNovember 23, 2017 10:32 am UTC

No updates? I have some POD to order and want to include Mists of Akuma :)

Jason SNovember 27, 2017 8:20 pm UTC

PUBLISHER

This is still in work. It's the holidays, so things are slowing down in-house.

August 12, 2017 12:38 am UTC

I'd really like to extend my gratitude to Storm Bunny Studios for releasing a product with a 40 page preview! And in light of that, I'm also very interested in a PoD of this supplement.

October 08, 2017 1:31 am UTC

<3 It's on the way! I swear!

John-Michael WAugust 10, 2017 2:35 pm UTC

So, any news on when the POD will be out?

Hauke SAugust 21, 2017 10:07 pm UTC

Yeah, same question over here. Any news on POD?

October 08, 2017 1:32 am UTC

Yup! Finally got my ducks in a row and should have a proof I'm happy with soon. :D

Matthew BJune 18, 2017 8:10 pm UTC

This sounds really cool - I'll hold off until August as would like to get the POD and PDF together

Jason SJune 28, 2017 7:50 pm UTC

PUBLISHER

Matt - Makes sense! We can't wait to offer the Print/PoD bundle!

Ben TJune 17, 2017 10:31 pm UTC

PURCHASER

Is this officially licensed? I have never seen third party books for SOTDL

June 20, 2017 12:56 am UTC

This book is 100% officially licensed, yes, and apparently the first of its kind so definitely special! There's text on the credits page referring to the licensing. :D

Ben TJune 21, 2017 11:29 pm UTC

PURCHASER

Neat! Will you be doing more of these? I'd buy them Shadow of the Demon Lord needs all the love it can get.

June 26, 2017 12:00 am UTC

I know I'll be doing at least one more! --> https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/verantheacodex/book-of-exalted-darkness-evil-for-the-5th-edition/posts/1914630

There are also adventures for Mists of Akuma that are gradually getting converted by our Translation Developer (a very awesome fellow named William Buxton).

Matthew WJune 16, 2017 1:18 pm UTC

so this is L5R via SoftDL? not like that is a bad thing just asking?

June 17, 2017 6:08 pm UTC

That's not a bad analogy--my go-to is "2 parts Ravenloft + 1 part Warhammer 40k + 3 parts Afro Samurai". For anyone keen to having a more mundane eastern fantasy setting, we tried to design the world so that you can pull out the steampunk bits without it being an enormous task (obviously things like robotic NPCs and war machine tsukumogami would not fit in Rokugan or what have you).

Michael RJune 15, 2017 12:42 pm UTC

Will there be a print version?

Tim RJune 15, 2017 9:27 pm UTC

Yes, please do.

June 17, 2017 6:04 pm UTC

Should be available by August. :D

June 17, 2017 6:05 pm UTC

Working on it!

Dani JJune 15, 2017 1:05 am UTC

PURCHASER

Is this real! Storm Bunny, you are going to dig out my wallet like a carrot buried near warren.

Jason SJune 15, 2017 3:21 am UTC

PUBLISHER

Dani - Our goal is to bring you ALL the awesome! Promise!

Dani JJune 15, 2017 7:31 am UTC

PURCHASER

I've enjoyed Rhune and have no doubt of your craft. I was really hoping this would come out as pfrpg version, but this is better!
I'm realy hyped about bloodlines and black magic and backed few months back. I hope you have a great day, and I think I'll give this a try very soon.

Jason SJune 28, 2017 7:49 pm UTC

PUBLISHER

Dani - Thanks! We're happily working with Mike to bring out as much Mists of Akuma awesome as possible!

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